Restatement of Policy on Germany

• 1. The Hunger That Fueled Communism

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  In 1946, American Occupation General Lucius D. Clay observed that Germans faced a stark choice between starvation and ideology. He stated there was no option to be a communist on 1,500 calories daily while believing in democracy on just 1,000 calories. The Morgenthau Plan envisioned such poverty and hunger for the German population after World War II. Western powers feared this economic devastation would drive the entire nation toward communism. James F. Byrnes delivered his speech in Stuttgart on the 6th of September 1946 to address these fears directly. His message aimed to repudiate the harsh economic policies of the Morgenthau Plan immediately. This shift signaled a new policy focused on economic reconstruction rather than permanent punishment. Byrnes later explained that winning the German people was the core of their program. He described it as a battle over minds between the United States and Russia.

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• 2. A Promise Of Territorial Integrity

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  Byrnes addressed the question of Germany's territorial integrity with specific language regarding the Ruhr area. He declared that the United States would not support any encroachment on territory indisputably German. The statement noted that people of the Rhineland desired to remain united with the rest of Germany. Byrnes affirmed that the United States would not oppose their desire to stay together. An exception existed for the French claim to the Saarland region. However, he accepted the Western Neisse line as a provisional Polish border at that time. The speech left the final extent of land east of the Oder-Neisse line to be decided later. Byrnes stated that the Soviets and Poles suffered greatly from Hitler's invading armies. He acknowledged Poland asked for revision of her northern and western frontiers due to this suffering. The United States supported revision in Poland's favor but deferred the exact boundary determination. This approach allowed future settlements to decide how much territory would become permanently Polish.

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• 3. Polish Leaders Condemn The Speech

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  The speech had an immediate negative impact on US relations with Poland during 1946. It strengthened the position of Polish communists before upcoming elections in the country. The Polish government dominated by communists responded with loud rhetoric against the American proposal. They claimed the US was supporting remnants of the Hitler regime through this address. Władysław Gomułka condemned Byrne's speech in a public address regarding its implications. He viewed the suggestion of border revision in favor of Germany as reactionary. Wojciech Jaruzelski later reflected that the statement made them think their western border faced questioning. He noted it was one of the most important things strengthening ties with the Soviet Union. Olszewski asked the US ambassador Arthur Bliss Lane for an explanation immediately after the speech. Lane tried to reassure Poles that Byrnes's words should not be interpreted as avoiding obligations at Potsdam. He emphasized that Poland held provisional control over the disputed area.

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• 4. Soviet Commitment To The Border Line

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  The announcement forced the Soviet Union to commit itself to the Oder-Neisse line publicly. This commitment required the Soviets to give up any hope of gaining influence over West Germany. As a consequence, the Soviet strategic position shifted significantly following the Stuttgart address. From November 1946 onward, the US military government prepared new alternative border plans. George Marshall insisted during 1947 Council of Foreign Ministers meetings that border revision return agricultural areas. He advocated returning Pomerania and Silesia to Germany while leaving Poland large parts of eastern Pomernia. Marshall also advocated establishing a four-power commission to decide the extent of new revisions. The American change of tactic aimed to win German loyalties and embarrass the Soviet Union. In private, policy makers like Marshall admitted chances of changing the border were very slender. Despite these odds, the speech made Germans more positive toward the United States overall.

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• 5. A Lasting Division Of Europe

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  The speech set the tone for future US policy regarding post-war reconstruction efforts in Germany. It served as propaganda aimed at Germany by Western Powers to shift blame for borders onto Moscow alone. Byrnes intended to smoke out Molotov's attitude on the eve of elections in Germany. The resulting strain on Polish-American relations persisted long after the initial announcement. Meanwhile, the speech improved German-American relations significantly during the early Cold War period. This dynamic contributed to the enduring impact on alliances across divided Europe. The message of economic hope gave Germans confidence in their future under American guidance. It marked a firm stand against the Soviet Union from the beginning of 1946. The United States maintained its military presence in Europe indefinitely following this declaration. These decisions shaped the geopolitical landscape for decades to come without immediate resolution.

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